Rachel
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
3.5 stars
This book started slow. Then it picked up with some great advice. Then it started to drag again.
Long story short.... there is some great advice in this book. To capitalize on it, you need to think of ways to apply it in your daily life. You also need to carve out a good amount of time to read this. At times it drones on. I've read a few other career books and the better ones condense the information into smaller, more manageable chapters. I'd like to see this book rewritten for today's audience. (In other words, for people who only have 10 minutes a day for themselves)
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait to share it with others. In short: Stop worrying. Live life how YOU want to. Take care of yourself and LOVE yourself. Stand behind your choices and do what you want to. Learn to say no. Face your fears. Challenge yourself. Quit waiting for others to save you. Quit waiting for life to give you want you “deserve”. Like it or not, everything that happens to you is a result of your own choice. You may have no been given that promotion at work, but you also didn't ASK for it. You don't like your weight, but you've done nothing to change it.
Read this book. Listen to its advice. Learn from its stories and live life however the fuck you want.
“He slept soundly but rose just after six-thirty, fully alert, rested enough but strangely eager to see how the tree he had planted had fared through its first night on this remote and secretive domain”
“His sense of direction had always been excellent and the fog had thrown him off only a few degrees so that he came first upon the dim green cluster of pebbles that was the cairn, before looking to his left and seeing the green cone of the tree, anaemic and still in its solitary spot on the cliff top.”
Look above. Did you notice that the second quote is a single sentence? That is a sample of the writing style used in The Memory of Trees. Each sentence is packed pull of descriptive terms and never ending words. Instead of letting the dread and forbidding build, the author shoves the emotions down your throat. “solitary” “haunting”. There was no room to breathe.
I've read a number of books on old folk tales, haunted places, ancient places, mysteries, etc. The description for this book was right up my alley. I was beyond excited to find a new book to add to my collection and that is why I'm so disappointed in it. This felt like a bad hollywood remake of a classic story. Too many fancy words (CGI), underwhelming and unrelatable characters. There was a good story underneath. That is why I give it 2 stars. How it has received higher ratings is incomprehensible to me.
I can't believe it's over. When I heard that this was to be the final Blackthorn and Grim novel, I was devastated. I absolutely loved Dreamer's Pool, and eagerly awaited each sequel. With this series, Juliet Marillier crafted yet another remarkable world with flawed characters. She treads brilliantly between fairy tale and reality, never forgetting the human aspect and emotions. Sadly her publisher wanted her to move on to another storyline, thus the end of my friends.
Emotions aside, I really enjoyed Den of Wolves. The story started slow, but the pace eventually picked up and had me chomping at the bit for more. I constantly wondered whether the story would bring closure to the tale of Blackthorn and Grim, or if there'd be a number of unanswered questions. With each turning page, I grew more and more concerned. How could all these threads be tied together in such a short timeframe? Knowing this would be the last book, I could see where Miss Marillier had to quickly combine all the plots. It felt slightly rushed compared to her other novels, but she did a marvelous job tying together everything.
What I loved most about Blackthorn and Grim was the hidden fairy tale/folk tales within the stories. It was like a story within a story. I loved seeing Blackthorn and Grim evolve as characters, and their friendship grow as they worked to help those around them.
I'll miss my friends, but I look forward to whatever world Miss Marillier crafts next.
The Scarecrow King is based on the tale of King Thrushbeard. As punishment for her spoiled, selfish behavior, a princess is married off to the first person who walks into the palace. Unfortunately for the princess, it is a poor minstrel.
I was really looking forward to this story. It is frequently listed as a hidden gem on lists of fairytale retellings. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I understand there wasn't much source material, but I felt it gave the author a missed opportunity to expand the story further. The characters and world were underdeveloped. The story itself felt rushed. I want to expand upon the story and add an extra 50-75 pages to it. As it stands, it's like getting a “skinny” sandwich, as opposed to a regular one. There's just enough to satisfy the hunger, but it's not quite enough to fill you up.
I'm really struggling to write this review. The Maze Runner is one of my favorite YA series. I loved meeting the gladers, solving the mystery, and racing to save the world with my friends. Learning about a new prequel was thrilling and terrifying. Would this live up to the hype? Will it be the biggest disappointment. If you look at my rating, you can see it's a mix of both.
first.... CHUCK!! AHH! Chuckie! How I missed that kid. Every chapter nearly broke my heart. I just wanted to hug him.
Second... building of the maze?!?! yes!!
Third.... the problems..... What are the ODDS that Thomas would quickly befriend the exact same people he becomes BFFs with in the maze. I wanted more of the other gladers. Change it up a bit. Maybe some who died in the maze. I loved Newt, Minho, and Alby being back, but it was disappointing. Why not go into the other gladers (the ones who died in the maze). Missed opportunity to rip my heart out further.
continuing problems...
Some chapters were just plain old boring. Sure, every day is regulated... but some chapters felt lazy. Like Mr. Dashner didn't want to elaborate on the maze process. It also had less of the emotional ups and downs of the previous novels. Until the 2/3 mark I was indifferent to the whole book. The Chancellor Anderson scene was where it really picked up.
Overall, this book was a dud. I loved revisiting my friends, but most of it is a one-time read. It was fascinating to read about the creation of the Maze, but it lacked the mystery of the other novels. It was a great missing link to the series, but I don't feel the need to read it more than once.
As many others have already noted, the Lightning Thief very closely parallels the first Harry Potter book. 3 friends, special abilities, special school.... i could go on and on. Rename the characters, change wizards to gods and bam, you have Percy Jackson.
Aside from the obvious parallels, The Lightening Thief is a fun read with an entertaining cast of characters. It brings classical Greek mythology to the modern era. I had a blast reading it and look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I would myself a casual fan of Guillermo de Toro. I don't go out of my way to watch his films, but I can appreciate his artistic talent. When I came across this book I was curious to read it.
Highlights:
The imagery. Not only do you see many of his original sketches, but you also see inside del Toro's home. It really delves into what inspires him. It was fascinating.
Why only 3 stars?
It simply didn't live up to expectation. It was written as a conversation between del Toro and the interviewer. Things did not flow as well as I had hoped. Right as I'd get interested in a topic, it would quickly change to another. Many parts felt in need of further editing. It felt like the writer was too close to the source material to edit it objectively.
Any del Toro fan will love this book, but if you're a casual fan (like me), you may find parts of this book to be slow.
Normally I start my reviews with a recap of the book. The best way I can describe it is “the story that never got off the ground”. This book follows two separate characters. One is Bird Girl and the other is the Man who followed the sun. Their stories don't really intersect.
While the legend itself was interesting, the real drawback was the execution. It suffered from too much explanation. Most of the time I thought “get on with it...”. From a historian perspective, it was filled with a rich amount of information. From a casual reader's perspective, it was boring
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Transmissions centers around a 13 year old boy named Charlie. One night, while playing with the old radio he inherited, he comes across a strange radio frequency. A woman's voice begins to recite a series of numbers. She repeats the numbers a few times, then it stops. Intrigued by the numbers, Charlie decides to enlist help from his friend Jenny. That's if she's willing to talk to him again. Who is reciting these numbers? What do they mean? Can Jenny and Charlie figure it out?
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was the perfect length for an afternoon read, and had me eagerly turning the pages for more. I had to find out who was sending the transmissions. What did they mean? What happened between Jenny and Charlie? Could they fix their friendship? A few times I thought “this is starting to sound like insert book, tv show or movie title here”. Rather than play it off as an original idea, he would call out where he picked up the idea from. Specifically the strange radio transmission that is featured in the tv show Lost. He also mentions a movie, and spends quality time recounting the history of numbers stations and how it works. I found it rather fascinating. It's not every day you read a book about the backstory of spy transmissions.
While the title is “Transmissions”, H.S. Stone also spends quality time on the relationship between Charlie and Jenny. I loved how he included the small details (eating lunch, biking around the neighborhood, construction, family quarrels). It made it seem very realistic. The characters had thoughts, feelings, and responsible actions and parents. How many children/young adult books have children running out the door and disappearing for days without telling their parents where they are going? H.S. Stone makes sure to note that Charlie always checks with his dad before he goes or does something. thumbs up!
Transmissions was the perfect length and an entertaining read. Up until the ending I was prepared to give this 5 stars. Without giving spoilers, but for anyone interested, it reminded me very much of a tv episode called “Night Call”. Not a bad ending, but the similarity was disappointing for me. I would still recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Mr. Stone.
I was fortunate to listen to the audiobook version. It is narrated by the man himself, Dick Van Dyke!
Keep Moving could easily be classified as a book for the elderly. I don't think that's a fair description. It's really a great book for everyone. Dick Van Dyke has such an enthusiasm for life. He's light hearted, always smiling, and moves better than a man half his age. Listening to him was very inspiring. Before you realize it, your life will pass you by. Take every opportunity you can get. Also, always look on the bright side of life. As Dick says, never let go of that inner child. Approach each day with wonder. Smile, laugh. Life is short and precious. Laugher and happiness is also one of the keys to a long life.
Dick is so full of life, it's hard to accept that he's in his 90's. If he can still do it, so can I. There is no excuse. Although short, it was a real treat to read/listen to this book. The audiobook was just over 5 hours and well worth it.
The Haunting of Hill House is listed as a classic horror novel. A haunted house... possession.... strange sounds... creepy maid/cook. This book has it all.
The story begins with Eleanor. She receives a letter to spend the summer at Hill House. Little is known about the house except that it may be haunted. With nothing left at home, Eleanor sets off towards Hill house. She is met by the strange caretakers Mr. and Mrs. Dudley. They insist on never staying past sunset. In the coming hour, more people arrive. Theodora, same as Eleanor, decided to come because of a letter. Luke, is set to inherit Hill House. Dr. Montague, the man who wrote the letters, is writing a book on Hill House.
The night starts off normally. The house is strange, but nothing out of the ordinary happens. Then, as the hours and days role past, the house awakens. Doors start to close, strange noises can be heard, and one of the characters appears to be losing their mind.
Shirley Jackson has created an excellent atmosphere. There is a constant sense of foreboding. Something is watching and waiting for the right moment to strike. I felt like I was in a horror movie and often didn't know which way to turn. One visit into Hill House was more than enough. The reason I knocked a star off my review was because of the characters and their dialog. Mrs. Jackson tried to duplicate multiple conversations happening at the same time. It was hard to discern whom was talking to whom. There were also a number of irregular shifts in the plot. One minute the characters would be together huddled in fear. The next they'd be sleeping soundly. If events like this happened to me, I'd have left immediately.
Overall the Haunting of Hill House is perfect to read before Halloween. It has some very unnerving scenes that can only be enhanced by the shorter days, colder weather, and haunted decorations.
I read this book as a suggestion from the group Into the Forest.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin is a wonderful story that ties in elements of traditional Chinese Folk Tales. The story centers around a girl named Minli who lives at the base of Fruitless Mountain. Her family and town are poor in finances, but her life is rich in the stories her father tells. One night, Minli decides to leave her home. She plans to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him to change her family's fortune. Along the way she encounters new lands, and a range of exciting characters.
While it is geared towards middle schoolers, this story is an exciting read that can be entertaining for all ages. I flew through it in a little over a day. I loved the characters, specifically the Buffalo boy, and Dragon. The story was not too fast, nor too slow. It continuously circled back to Minli's parents. That is a rarity in children's stories.
If you are looking for something fun and quick, this is a great choice.
The Art of Horror: An Illustrated History is a great coffee table book. It is filled with incredible images and an astounding collection of horror movie posters. Each chapter centers around different monsters/characters ranging from traditional vampires, to dragons, to ghosts and aliens. Simply put, it's very thorough on its collection of horror monsters.
I loved flipping through this collection. From an artistic standpoint, the images were magnificent. I also loved seeing how many films were created based on certain characters. Many I had never heard of. A horror buff would love this book. Even non horror fans may enjoy flipping through this book. It's different, but contains a lot.
This is not a book. It's only 4 pages, that could, or could not have been added to one of the other Maze Runner novels. This brief story recounts an old memory of Thomas'. Overall, it's a nice treat for fans who have completed all the other Maze Runner novels and wish to return to that world.
For anyone who missed the link further up the page, here it is: http://promo.booksamillion.com/save/images/activities/DeathCureJDashner.PDF?&id=5188224742704
I found this book via a group here on Goodreads. Most of my knowledge on Native American culture come from school history books and hollywood. Not the best resources. The Girl Who Married the Moon: Tales from Native North America is a collection of tales from the original Americans. Each tale is from a different tribe, and the stories are grouped by location.
Long story short, this was a great collection. What I found most fascinating was the level of respect many of these cultures had for women. Most of the folk tales I've read (mainly european) center around foolish women, or headstrong guys. A male is almost always the star in the story.
In this book, many tales feature women. Thought they're not always accepted as leaders of their tribes, it was fascinating to read the juxtaposition against European tales. The book was small, and the tales are short, but it'd make a great addition to any folk/fairy tale collection.
I needed a new book to listen to. I find it easier to listen to stories I'm generally familiar with. A retelling of Aladdin? ok I'm game.
listening to book
groans
If I had a paper copy, I'd skim to find the point. There's not much I can say that others haven't already said. It's 1/4 exact movie description, 3/4 bad fanfiction. The characters are one dimensional, and it's clearly written by someone who isn't middle eastern.
It's late, but I wanted to review this before bed.
I was looking for a book to listen to at work. (So long as I get my job done, I can listen to whatever I want). This has been on my “to-read” list for quite some time. I recently rewatched the film and decided to give the book a chance.
The book completely destroyed the movie. (Not a surprise. Most books are better than their films). I was surprised to find out the movie only covers the first half of the story. There is an entire second half I knew nothing about. This was rather exciting. I was drawn in with the familiar and was carried on a second adventure.
The book was original and delightful. It was at times difficult to follow all the character names, but I loved the originality. I'd like to pick up the physical copy of this book and re-read it.
This is one of those times I wish Goodreads did half stars. I would really give this 2.5 stars. It was a quick read, with good promise, but ultimately missed the mark.
The Thorn and the Blossom advertises itself as a two sided love story.
- The accordion fold of the book was interesting, but made it difficult to hold and read the book. (strike 1).
- The love story was rushed. (strike 2). I get that it was a short story, but it was just too quick. As the reader, i was given no time to fall for the characters.
- The visions were never clearly explained. There was a huge opportunity here and the author missed the mark. (semi-strike 3).
There were some good points to the story. It was quick. The myth of the Green Man, and Gawan and the Green Knight are a recurring theme. Those are what kept the novel going.
Overall, I would have preferred the author spent more time polishing up this story and expanding it to a full novel. The Thorn and the Blossom felt more like a detailed outline than a proper short story.
The Cats of Tanglewood Forest centers around a young orphan girl named Lillian. Every day she leaves extra milk for the cats, a biscuit for the tree man, and feeds extra seeds to the birds and crows. She lives with her Aunt on the edge of Tanglewood forest. One day, as she wanders through the forest, she is bit by a snake. As she lay dying, the cats come to her aid. Thus beginning the tale.
The story is structured around that of traditional fairy/folk tales. Magical beings have been forgotten by the world. One gifted human gets the chance to experience their world. All of the events center around choices the characters must make and how they affect the other characters. Similar to the Tortoise and the Hare, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest is full of lessons. There are no major battles, but many interesting characters (including Jack Crow, T.H. Fox, Mother Possum).
The illustrations were beautiful. Easily 5 stars for those. The story itself left many open endings (again, similar to traditional folk tale style). I would have loved to read more about many characters. That's why I can only give it 4 stars.
Me Before You has appeared on almost every “Top Books...” list I've seen. It wasn't until I saw the trailer for the upcoming movie that I decided to give it a chance.
For anyone unfamiliar with the story.... Me Before You is about a woman named Louisa Clark who is hired to assist a quadriplegic man, Will Trayner. He is determined to end his life. She is determined to stop him.
I finished this book about and hour ago and I'm struggling with how to write this review. Was it a great book? No. Was it a terrible book? No. It was just ok.
This book featured a heart-wrenching plotline that was used to sell millions of books. Yes. I said it. This book was written to make the bestseller list. Is used the formulaic plotline of a thriller novel. It reveals pieces as it deems them necessary to the story. It jumps forwards and backwards in time. Occasionally it jumps between characters. All of this leads to the climactic ending. Who will win? Louisa or Will?
I didn't hate the characters. I really like Will, Lou (and her bumblebees), and Nathan. The rest of the characters were forgettable. In fact, it took me almost 100 pages to register who Thomas and Patrick were.
My real problem was with the writing. A chapter would start (in a boring, almost lecture-like tone), followed by buildup into a climactic reveal or moment. I'd be eager to find out what happens, flip to the next chapter, then bam... complete change of scenery or topic. It was frustrating. Incredibly frustrating.
By the 3/4 mark I was ready for this book to end. I had read 75% of the book and little had happened. It felt like a poorly chopped film by a college student. I'm hopeful the movie will be better.
Overall, the book was decent. It had some good moments. It tried to play on a reader's emotions, but much of the book fell flat. Honestly, it feels forgettable.
There are terrible stories written by great authors, and great stories written by terrible authors. The Phantom of the Opera suffers from the latter. While it contains an interesting premise with a promising title character, the book suffers from a lack of order, weak side characters, and terrible buildup.
The book begins with great progress. It introduces the reader to the opera house, the people who run it, and the mysterious ghost. Along the way it becomes sidetracked with the viscount de Chaney and his infatuation with Christine Daae, a promising young singer. Rather than trying to help his beloved, the Viscount (Raul) acts like a child. He bursts out crying at a show, and is constantly throwing himself into hysterics. I pictured him as a modern stereotype of a gay man.
The only positive to this book is the character of the phantom and the summary of the story. By the halfway mark I was cringing. I just wanted the book to be finished. Even now, I'm having a difficult time composing my thoughts. The writing style is jumpy and sloppy. There is no central narrator, and the scenes are constantly shifting. The premise of the Phantom of the Opera is a classic story, but the book Gaston Leroux wrote was a mess. This is definitely a case where the movie and stage adaptations did it better.
I would honestly prefer another author rewrite this book to be the masterpiece it should be.
Inferno by Dante Alighieri is a famous classic novel, yet I don't know of a single person who has read it. This was one of the driving factors behind why I chose to read it. What makes it a classic? Why have so few people read it. Why does it receive a shocked “DANTE'S INFERNO!?!” whenever I mentioned I was reading it. What is the stigma behind this book?
Lets start with a brief summary. The Inferno (also known as the Divine Comedy) was written by Dante Alighieri in the 14th century AD/ACE. Italy was exiting the Middle Ages and would soon be entering the famous Renaissance period. Christianity was on the rise, as was a desire to understand the word of God and Christ. Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet, writes his most famous work: The Divine Comedy/Inferno (I'll be calling it Inferno from this point forward).
Inferno features Dante's imaginative journey into hell. He is guided by Virgil, an ancient Roman poet famous for his epic poem, Aeneid. Together they pass through the 9 circles of hell.
1. Limbo
2. Lust
3. Gluttony
4. Greed
5. Anger
6. Heresy
7. Violence
8. Fraud
9. Treachery
Along the journey Dante meets the famous heroes of the Trojan War, Greeks, Romans, popes, kings, queens, townsfolk. At every level, Dante's character speaks with a different soul. His character learns why the soul is trapped in hell and what pain they are suffering in the afterlife. It is clearly meant to highlight “if you do this in life, then that will be your punishment in the afterlife.”
Inferno is product of its time and needs to be taken with a grain of salt. It is not a literal account of a journey through hell. It is Dante's imagination of Hell. He uses it to demonstrate how a person's actions in life will affect their time in the afterlife, and how those actions will impact a soul'd journey towards God.
Aside from it's age, one of the greatest challenges readers will face with Inferno is the abundance of names. Dante references well over 100 people in his journey through hell. Some are famous names (such as Achilles, Homer, Brutus and Judas) whom modern audiences would recognize. A larger percentage are names that have been lost to modern audiences. They include famous poets, authors, kings, popes, and priests from the 14th century and earlier. Dante does a decent job summarizing his references and why they are in hell. The names often accompany the souls he meets. Those souls then tell Dante their story, thus explaining who they are. Other names are mentioned quickly without reference. From the book's notes, these are characters the audience would have recognized as famous people from their time period. These moments are where the notes and references in the Inferno come in to play.
This edition of Inferno does an excellent job breaking down the Cantos (think of them as small chapters) for modern audiences. At the start of each Canto, the author provides a summary of the entire passage. It it followed by the lines of the poem, and ends with notes to help the reader further understand the poem. I found this incredibly helpful during reading. I mostly chose to read the poem and skip the summary and notes, however, when I had trouble, I was thrilled to have the summary and references there for assistance.
In conclusion, I'm still unclear why this book is met with such shock. Perhaps it's because of it's religious connotation and connection to early christian beliefs. Perhaps it's because it focuses on a descent into hell (considered a dark subject by many). Perhaps it's the age of the book. Frankly, I don't think I will ever understand. I found this book to be a fascinating look into early christian beliefs. I'm happy I decided to purchase it and I look forward to rereading it in a few years.